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That’s it really. What’s it like to live in that area?
I hear you're always going to be on your guard there
You can jump forward over the Tweed into England then back to safety in the evening
Can we visit for the weekend?
Kelso is not too far along the road
Its a nice looking town but its very far from anywhere. Happy to live in a small town with all its issues ie everyone knowing your business and being an outsider? Nice part of the world as well.
🙂
I'm currently in north Bucks.
we're definitely moving, but where to is still under discussion. We've seen a good place in Coldstream that we like, but I've only ever driven through, not stopped.
We like the area - Berwick-Upon-Tweed and Alnwick - but haven't found anything suitable in those places.
Why not. Lovely area, not far from the coast and some biggish hills. As for distance, there’s Kelso, maybe 10 miles. Berwick just abot further, and it isnt south east miles, theres no traffic, so 10 miles takes 15 minutes in a car.When we first moved to D&G, our Neighbour worked 6 miles away, I asked how long it took -‘usually less than 10 minutes’. When I lived in Leicester, 6 miles would take 45 mins in the morning.
A very unappealing town, nothing much to it and just far away from anything.
I live in the Borders but probably wouldn’t live in Coldstream, it’s kind of the worst of all worlds. Still quite a distance from the coast, a long drive from the hills, not a lot there but not fabulously remote. You’ll spend a lot of time driving.
but, and this is the big but. I’m from Buckinghamshire and I would choose Coldstream x10000 over rather than return to Bucks. It might not be the best part of the Borders but it is infinitely better than the over priced, over populated, self absorbed Home Counties.
Also, great road riding
I'm in the borders and Coldstream would get a body swerve. Kelso yes Coldstream no.
It always seems a bit too gammony. It's reasonably nice and much better for you than being in a conurbation down south and if i were moving up then maybe, probably because it's better.
It always seems a bit too gammony.
Have you spent much time in Buckinghamshire?
No but have spent a few years in Hampshire.
But born in Edinburgh and dragged up across Southern Scotland.
Thanks people, this is all helpful.
Kelso would be my preference, but we haven’t seen any houses in our range. We’ve found an absolute beauty in Coldstream, but have similar feelings to many here.
Road cyclin* is good eh? That helps.
Yep, great road cycling. Loads of B roads heading over to coast and into East Lothian or Northumberland. A bit of undulation but no monster climbs, lots of cafes to ride out to.
My dad lives in Berwick so I spend a bit of time up there.
Coldstream doesn't have a lot there so you will get very familiar with the A698 and the fact that you need to allow a minimum of 20 minutes in the car to go anywhere. It's a pretty dull stretch of road.
Load of roads to ride - yes. But sharing them with the typical Northumberland countryside driver is not something I would choose to do.
Yes, but only if you promise to open a decent cafe. It's crying out for one being on one of the major cross-border routes, but somehow lacks one.
But sharing them with the typical Northumberland countryside driver is not something I would choose to do.
Its all relative though isn't it? The OP lives in Buckinghamshire just now!
A ride out from Coldstream over to Holy Island for coffee at Pilgrims would be a truly grand day out.
Yes, but only if you promise to open a decent cafe. It’s crying out for one being on one of the major cross-border routes, but somehow lacks one.
The Hirsel has a decent café
https://www.hirselhomestead.co.uk/eat
I guess if you are moving from Buckinghamshire then you will have a decent budget?
Is this the property?
If it is, it could go well over the asking price.
Absolutely stunning mind.
I saw that house and yes it is gorgeous…although a bit close to a fairly decent sized road for me.
Crikey, that garden view isn't too shabby is it?
Come on OP, tell us your budget and let us find you a house.
^^ Great house. But petrol station opposite and having your garage 50yds away would be a deal breaker for me. 🙂
Kelso would be my preference, but we haven’t seen any houses in our range. We’ve found an absolute beauty in Coldstream, but have similar feelings to many here.
If you want to live in X, you'll regret buying in Y...
Either are fine if you like cycling on empty roads and the Cheviots are accessible from both if you like XC riding.
We live near Melrose, but came up from Buckinghamshire (Aylesbury).
I like where we are, can road cycle, XC or enduro all from the house (did +25m & 3500ft after work yesterday, rode over to Ladhope and back via the pub & Eildons)
Yep, that’s the one.
the budget is about £450000
others in my family are up there looking at the moment. Apparently we have to put an offer in today at noon.
they are saying much the same as people here - the house is fab, the town is ok.
If thats your budget then you will have plenty of choice in the borders. Take your time and get it right.
Tenancies in Scotland a normally a minimum of a years contract.
I rented a flat in Bridge of Weir on a 6 month lease, that was 20 years ago mind!
Tenancies in Scotland a normally a minimum of a years contract.
This.
Much as I like the borders, the expanse and beautiful coastal areas, it is a long way from the channel tunnel and a long way from the Highlands.
Also I have been looking at rentals in the borders and they seem to be pretty rare.
Tenancies in Scotland a normally a minimum of a years contract.
But under the old short assured tenancy, a tenant could walk away at any point with 4 weeks notice. Has this changed? When I rented during a house build, we had to sign a 12 month lease but only stayed for 6 months without issue.
No, it's still 28 days notice.
https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/tenants_rights/private_residential_tenancy
“But under the old short assured tenancy, a tenant could walk away at any point with 4 weeks notice. Has this changed? When I rented during a house build, we had to sign a 12 month lease but only stayed for 6 months without issue.”
No, its just the same, 6 months or 12 months (no 12 month minimum). The Tenant can leave after a month if required. It’s not good for the Landlord if they have continual turnover, but good for the Tenant to agree a 12 month tenancy when first renting, most English ones are 6 months, then renew.
Having driven past that very house a few times 4 weeks ago the main road would be a major bugbear for me. Lovely property though.
I think I had a not-great-fish supper last time I was passing through Coldsream.
Crikey, that garden view isn’t too shabby is it?
You'd have to love gardening! Amazing view definitely.
When we moved up we rented for a bit in Newcastle. Not the same as testing whether you like living in Coldstream, but it was handy for being able to pop up to look at properties in a more leisurely way, and there were lots of lets available.
Did you win it then?
No, somebody outbid us by ‘a lot, not just a few 10000s’.
There’s another house we’re interested in. Very different, and not in Coldstream - I’ll add details later.
Worth checking the sepa flood maps don't let the tweed fool you. It might not look like much bit its a massive river.
Obviously not meant to be then fella, (although truthfully I wouldn't live in Coldstream) . As others have said before though - you're going to get a lot of house for your money up in the borders. Good luck finding the right one
Right, our next choice:
A bit further north. Doesn’t look as nice from the outside, but check the interior. Anybody know much about this area? Seems beautiful.
Nice and quiet close to Valhalla.
The whole of the coast from Newcastle up to Edinburgh is beautiful.
St Abbs is absolutely stunning.
Back in the day, Coldingham always felt a bit rough mind.
I've been to Coldingham a few times over the years. The last time was two or three years ago and the beach was heaving. It looks like most of Coldingham consists of two caravan parks. I imagine in the winter it is deserted.
"...I find I live in about 2 rooms (and one of those I’m mostly asleep in)."
There will be four adults sharing this house.
Four bedrooms is the minimum. A few 'living rooms' is very much a priority.
We've put in an offer, but other suggestions of good places to live are welcome, not to mention any great houses you see. East coasts, borders preferred but anywhere considered.
For £100k less you could be my neighbour, and much closer to the Tweed Valley.
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/127642604#/?channel=RES_BUY
Coldstream 🤔
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/85986087#/?channel=RES_BUY
or
https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137220569#/?channel=RES_BUY
Sorry if the second one is above the budget but couldn't resist
These Victorian houses are fabulous grand buildings, however they are also cold as hell!
Especially with a back boiler on the fire for heating water and no central heating. Lighting fires every morning in winter gets old incredibly fast.
The house at Stow is on the A7, right on the A7.
Nope!
I keep on thinking about moving to east lothian / the borders. I have a few pals there. Its important to me not to have to drive to shops and pubs. Peebles would be my first choice - property is not too expensive, town centre is halfway decent. good walking and cycling in the area. Gala is a possible as in Dunbar - I was surprised with how nice Dunbar is and it has a fast train to Edinburgh Melrose would be OK as well. Just my 2p worth
The Borders and is one of my favourite places but can be difficult to get about in the winter (my inlaws get snowed in at least once a year). I'd be looking to live a bit closer to the train line so at least you have options of commuting into Edinburgh.
Galashiels and Hawick can be a bit rough in places, my inlaws love to read the courts section in the local paper and nearly all the stories are from those two areas (they are also the largest towns in the borders so that would be a contributing factor).
Lolz @ steven
Offer for Coldingham house has been accepted. Looks like I’m moving to Valhalla*
Sprootlet: that second house was very, very tempting. Not that keen on Eyemouth for a few reasons.
Stevenmenmuir: what makes you believe I’m not already a brogue and tweed wearing Tory? We had a good, long, look at that house in Duns.
Coldingham is only three miles from the railway with a direct line to Berwick upon Tweed, so not quite as remote as it might first seem. I reckon it will do us just fine - it’s got a inglenook!
Thanks for all the ideas and info everyone. I still interested in first hand experiences of life and cycling in the borders if anybody feels like sharing.
* it took me a while to get that @onehundredthidiot
There are a few enduro trails at Penmanshiel about 10 miles away. Not been that far north myself, probably some sort of flat riding round there. Go south down Wooler way and you have hilly xc rides
St Abb's lovely coastline to walk along
"https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/148675910#/?channel=RES_BUY"
Bike in the bathroom! lol
These Victorian houses are fabulous grand buildings, however they are also cold as hell!
I live in a stone built house from around 1840.
It is extremely well insulated and energy efficient, to the point that we rarely turn any radiators on upstairs, it has to be below zero and even then I only put it on for a couple of hours before we go to bed.
We were lucky, in the fact that the people we had bought it from, had stripped it back to bare walls, reconfigured and insulated everything.
Galashiels and Hawick can be a bit rough in places
It's all 'relative' and TBH you'd not know when driving/walking/cycling thru them, but then I do come from near Leeds...
And there is pretty high poverty (high school in Hawick has 40% in Simd 1&2) .
But then if I ask to borrow something someone will lend it and walking down the road I end up acknowledging what seems like every second car because they know me.
Hawick can be a bit rough in places
And not to add that you'd be living somewhere that sounds like your clearing your throat.
I was surprised with how nice Dunbar is
Dunbar has a couple of nice little community initiatives and cafes, and the harbour and swimming pool are nice, and the train is a big plus.
And actually - Haddington has some really nice streets and parks and libraries and there's a couple of little microbreweries and bakeries. There's no trains, true, but tons of buses to Edinburgh and elsewhere. I think (maybe like Howick?) it had a reputation in the past for being rough but maybe that's exaggerated (esp if you discount the closing time pub fights...?)
https://www.rages.org.uk/Haddington.html
My grandmother's old house can be seen in photo 2 (on the bay).
I wouldn't want to live there - seemed a bit grim for cycling and the north sea coast in winter isn't the most hospitable of places - but plenty think it's beautiful.
"what makes you believe I’m not already a brogue and tweed wearing Tory?"
I assumed you were. Why else would you be looking where you're looking?
what makes you believe I’m not already a brogue and tweed wearing Tory?
When you start poking around the houses on Rightmove and looking at the pictures; there's quite a lot of very obviously 'dead pensioner' houses being sold off in these parts isn't there.
“Why else would you be looking where you’re looking?”
because it’s beautiful and quiet? we’ve always enjoyed visits to this part of the world. Our family is from Northumberland, and we’ve always planned to move back up that way(although admittedly we’ve gone a bit further).
is it an especially Tory brogue and tweed part of the country? Moving from Bucks I’d hoped for a bit less of that.
Anyway, must trot. The fox hunt is about to start, and Felicity and Giles won’t wait forever.
Lovely house, but dear god that decoration is hideous !!!
is it an especially Tory brogue and tweed part of the country?
for Scotland yes - very much so. But only by Scottish Standards.
I was just pulling your leg but TJ is right. I lived in the Borders for my teenage years, Duns to be exact. Couldn't wait to get away but to be fair it's changed a lot in the last 30 years, they might even have a choice of coffee shops. My friend has a cafe in Kelso, she's run it for over 20 years and she has said she's surprised that they've been accepted considering they cook a lot of lentils. One problem with the Borders which I think still exists is the " because it's aye been" attitude.
great house buying, will done. Coldingham is lovely all year round and you’ve got great transport links north and south. I think you’ve made a good decision.